Jonothan Hitchen, Health and Safety Advisor at County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, will take on the Great North Run on Sunday, 13 September for the first time. The 57-year-old from Spennymoor is running the half marathon to raise funds for The Fire Fighters Charity, which provides clinical care and wellbeing support to members of the UK's fire services and their families.

From the Army to the Fire Service

Hitchen spent 22 years in the Army from the age of 18, completing 11 operational tours including Northern Ireland, Iraq, and Bosnia. He also served on public duties as a Royal Guard stationed at Windsor, taking part in events such as The Trooping of the Colour, The State Opening of Parliament, and various Royal Guard duties.

He joined County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service in 2017 and has held several roles including Community Safety Admin, Community Risk Officer, and a period seconded to the Local Resilience Forum.

Training for the Challenge

Hitchen described the half marathon as his biggest challenge yet. He said: "The half marathon will be the furthest distance I have ever ran. At the moment I can hardly run around the block, but I am halfway through the Couch to 5K and plan to build up the distance from there."

"I have always wanted to do the Great North Run and after spending 10 years in the fire and rescue service, I have seen firsthand the selflessness of our firefighters who dedicate their lives to protect the community. While the challenge is to complete the Great North Run, the biggest challenge for me is just getting to the start line."

Finishing Line in Sight

Hitchen has two children and is engaged to Barbara, who will be waiting for him at the finish line in South Shields. He said: "I will be elated when I reach the finish line, my partner and children have really encouraged me to do this. I will have such a sense of achievement and hope that I will be able to keep up the running and make it part of my normal routine."

Donations to Jonothan Hitchen's fundraiser for The Fire Fighters Charity can be made via his fundraising page.